By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday August 11, 2021

Aug 11, 2021 | 10:21 AM

MELFORT, Sask. — The Manitoba government will spend $62 million for programs under the AgriRecovery framework to support livestock producers affected by this year’s drought conditions.

Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development minister Ralph Eichler said this will ensure producers have options to retain and care for their animals while also supporting the longer-term sustainability of the livestock sector.

“This extremely dry weather has affected producers’ ability to find suitable pastures and feed for their animals which means that, without additional investment, producers are in the very difficult position of having to consider reducing their herds or leaving the industry altogether,” Eichler said. “There is no harder decision for a livestock producer.”

Eichler said programs are currently being developed and will include funding for feed assistance, feed transportation, cattle transportation, and a herd rebuilding program.

Producers are struggling to maximize use of existing pasture and produce winter feed for their animals. Since dry conditions are affecting much of the Prairies, there are limited options to source feed.

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Food and beverage processing associations are coming together to invest in the first national supply chain platform.

Protein Industries Canada (PIC) is spearheading the Food Convergence Innovation (FCI) Canada – Food and Beverage Supply Chain Project.

Linking food and beverage companies across the country, the initiative aims to make it easier for the nation’s food chains to recover from COVID-19 and other emerging issues while diversifying Canada’s plant-based food, feed, and ingredients offerings.

PIC CEO Bill Greuel said Canada’s leading food and beverage associations will build provincial and regional databases connected to a national network.

“This digital platform will help connect the value chain across the country, from ingredient processors in the east to food manufacturers on the west coast,” Greuel said. “And better yet, it will do so in a way that will improve the lives of Canadians, thanks to its ability to strengthen our domestic supply chain and increase the selection of food products available across the country.”

McGill Centre will lead the project with a national consortium of Food and Beverage Canada, CTAQ, Food & Beverage Atlantic, Food and Beverage Ontario, Food & Beverage Manitoba, BC Food & Beverage, Bivizio, and the University of Ottawa.

These organizations are together investing $500,000 with Protein Industries Canada providing $2.1 million.

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Fifteen 4-H members from across Canada will receive $1,000 toward their post-secondary education.

The recipients of the 2021 John Deere Canada 4-H Scholarship will use the money for a degree, certificate, or trade-based program for the upcoming academic year.

4-H Canada Chief executive officer Shannon Benner said the scholarships help to build youth leaders.

“We know that their 4-H background will help them navigate their educational and career pursuits with confidence, leadership, and resiliency,” Benner said in a news release.

A complete list of the winners can be found here.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW